Zetts

Beat me to it. The first 2 names that come to my mind are Sundin and Modano.

What was that guy's name that used to post on here? Sirdrake or something like that I think. Just a flashback. As for the the OP's question, in one word: no.

I'm 100% sure he was joking about that. I was serious about it being sad how much they've declined though.

It was legit at the time to choose Maltby and Draper for Team Canada. It's really sad to think about how much they've declined. It's getting more and more difficult to actually remember a time when they were effective.

Everyone seems to be pretty close in their projections, it's just arguments about how to describe Filppula...and really, who cares? You can call a player with 60 points a steaming pile of crap or a god...and it's still the same number of points. Really, the difference from 55 to 60 points isn't a big deal. Comparing Filppula to Sammy or Cleary is pretty unfair too. Completely different types of players. Filppula isn't in the shootout because he can't finish (with the odd exception), but he's good with the puck and can set up plays. Edit: To add to that, the difference in pp time wasn't because Filppula sucked. It was because we have enough playmakers, we needed a right handed shot on the point (Sammy) and another net-front presence (Cleary). Again, different types of players.

Well obviously it's because he was playing with the lights out playoff sniper that is Marian Hossa. Why would you even ask that?

This isn't so much me disagreeing with you, as I somewhat agree with the order that you gave for pk depth... But what in the hell are Draper and Maltby doing if they're not penalty killing?

Yeah, I was wondering about that a while ago too. I started a thread on it, and the general consensus seemed to be that he wasn't getting anything done about it surgically although nobody knew. It has been strange not hearing anything, although I can't think of any reason that the Wings would keep that quiet. It's not as though you can target someone's elbow from surgery for tendinitis.

Exactly, it's not far fetched. If the numbers gcom provided are accurate, then Filppula already had a 112% increase too when he went from 17 points to 36. Different set of circumstances obviously, but it IS possible.

I'm hoping that what he said was a joke.

I completely agree with your post except for the bold part. He got 40 points playing a lot of 3rd line minutes and with little pp time. His point totals have been increasing every year, and there really isn't a great reason to expect that to entirely stop or even reverse at this point. Personally, for his career, I expect him to have several years around 50-55 points, with maybe a career year being low to mid 60s. He's brutal at finishing himself, but put him with some good players and he'll put up some points.

I believe that Edmonton is the "stabbing capital" of Canada (per capita). Downtown is rundown. There have been years spent trying to revitalize it, and it's a lot better. And is still disgusting. West Edmonton Mall, while cool to have, really isn't too exciting. It's just...a lot of stores. You're not going there in the evening or to hang out. The winters regularly have many days below -30 degrees Celsius. The night life is pretty weak. It's dirty. Most people that want to live in Canada (usually) appreciate more Liberal politics (in relation to the US). Even with the Conservatives in power nationally, Alberta still feels more right wing than the rest of the country. And not to start a political discussion, but take a look at Bill 44 (passed on a provincial level, not just for Edmonton). That disgusted me beyond belief. Only in Alberta could we create a bill for *** rights that is actually a setback for those rights AND lets us warp childrens' minds. Oh, and our transit is one of the worst in Canada. I think Macleans rated it like 27th out of 31 major Canadian cities. Moving on to more hockey related issues though. The fans here are ridiculous band wagoners that go crazy about hockey but know VERY little about it. When the Wings played the Oilers in the playoffs I was in High School at the time, and I still recall some girl saying that she watched "the third episode" of the hockey game last night. To be fair, every team has band wagon fans, but it's painful here sometimes. And there are SOME very knowledgable hockey fans here too. Edmonton basically has crazy fans like some other teams (which a lot of players don't like, although some do) but it's in some dingy ice-hole of a city. I also recall after the cup run hearing about management coming into the locker room and giving a speach thanking the team, but making it clear that a lot of players wouldn't be returning. (I THINK it was Peca that said that.) Usually you hold off until a little after the game 7 loss, not immediately afterwards. My impression was that the players didn't appreciate it. The Oilers show now loyalty. At all. There's a reason all of the good players leave. The most recent example is Ryan Smyth, although it certainly doesn't end there. I do like the University though. Edit: I realize that, to be fair, there are many good things about it too. There's a ridiculously nice River Valley, and we were one of the first Canadian cities with what pretty much amounts to an indoor smoking ban. But people were asking why you wouldn't want to come here.

Well some random said it, so I believe it!

Are you kidding!? Grier had 10 goals in 62 games. Holmstrom had 14 in 53. So first off, Holmstrom was in fact a better goal scoring threat. But even moving past that... Grier has broken 20 goals twice, the most recent being 2000-2001. In fact, those two times "breaking" 20 goals, were in fact 20 goals bang on. Holmstrom has, since the 2000-2001 season broken 20 goals four times, with one of those being 29 goals and another being 30 goals. Holmstrom has been a better offensive player and put up his numbers more recently. ...Grier is a more physical Maltby. Yah, Holmstrom had a bit of an off year. And guess what? He was still better than Grier. Give him a chance, he'll rebound (at least somewhat).

Probably. Not really the best move cap-wise for us given that Williams has already been signed though. We had to get extra offence from somewhere even if it is Williams. I'm still convinced that Draper and Maltby are our supposed enforcers/grinders. Or at least those are the roster spots they're taking, they don't actually fill either of those rolls. I'm thinking that when they retire the 3rd/4th line roster spots opened up will allow for a little more grit. I don't think that Holland doesn't want those types of players, there just isn't the room right now. For anyone who says there is the room (ie. the roster spots that were just filled by Eaves and Williams)...we still need skill too. We can't have more players with zero scoring ability on our third and fourth lines. Draper and Maltby fill the quota for incompetent offensive players IMO.

Yes, because that's a perfect comparison. Obviously skill level CAN diminish. I suppose I should have said, "skill level like that doesn't just disappear unless there's a good reason". I just figured that would have been self-evident. Nothing has happened to Afinogenov that should diminish his skill level. Obviously Bertuzzi's had a calm few years in his life, right?

I'd do it depending on salary. Yes, it's a risk, but skill level like this doesn't just disappear. Note: You may want to mute the music for this video.

Ah Edmonton, always good for an inflated contract. He'll be good in the future, but right now he's not worth that much. Not quite as funny as Gilbert making 4 million though. Or Horcoff at 5.5...or Penner at 4.25...and the list goes on.

Best news all summer. Besides this Chicago RFA issue.

Agreed, with one exception. We have no depth outside of the starting 12 forwards...and decent depth on d, although that's still depleted as well. No injuries, and we'll be great. Otherwise, watch out. This team couldn't make it as far as we did last year if similar injury issues arise in the playoffs. Edit: Does one of the people voting for 5+ 30 goal scorers want to elaborate on who exactly those people will be?

My thoughts exactly. And we're likely trading Meech. Or if not him, then another defenceman which therefore moves Meech up the depth, reducing his availability to act as a 13th forward. I imagine we'll see all of Ritola, Mursak, Emmerton, Ryno and Axelsson at some point throughout the season. I really do hope that we can find a cheap signing for a little bit of depth. I recall that in the playoffs Babcock said that Abdelkader looked uncomfortable on the wing, and much better at centre. So, I think that we'll see something like Hank - Dats - Homer Huds - Filppula - Franzen Leino - Helm - Cleary Maltby - Abdelkader - Draper Of course if Homer isn't too good, these will change pretty quickly. But I'm expecting him to have a strong season. He wasn't happy with last year. Also, given Babcock's use of Huder, I wouldn't see surprised to see him switch with Cleary.

That's interesting, a few weeks ago he specifically said Abdelkader would NOT be on the roster. I'm guessing that may have changed because of all of the players we've lost...

People are happy about this now, but I think we'll really feel the absense of him next year. He was a 2nd/3rd line player for really cheap, who put up a decent amount of points for almost no money. He was also responsible defensively. Yah, he had faults, but depth with players like Sammy played a huge part for us in our recent success. I may be alone here, but I'll miss him.

I find it odd that nobody has commented on this part yet: I find that very disappointing. They're already offering him 2.5 and he's not accepting it? I'm thinking we're going to be saying goodbye to Happy.

*sigh* There's really not even anything to say. I hope this thread is locked. Soon.